Jones v. Commissioner of Social Security

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS DENYING APPLICATION TO PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF FEES OR COSTS (Doc. 2)

ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO RETURN CONSENT FORMS

ORDER REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF FILING FEE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 10, 2014

BARBARA A. McAULIFFE, Magistrate Judge.

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Herbert Jones ("Plaintiff"), is proceeding pro se in this civil action, having filed a complaint on July 25, 2014. (Doc. 1). That same date, he submitted an application to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to Title 28 of the United States Code section 1915. (Doc. 2).

LEGAL STANDARD

Section 1915(a) allows a court to authorize a lawsuit's commencement without payment of the filing fee if the plaintiff submits an affidavit demonstrating his or her inability to pay the filing fee. Such affidavit must include a complete statement of the plaintiff's assets. However, an IFP action is subject to dismissal if the court determines that the complaint is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary damages against a defendant who is immune from liability for such damages. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). When a plaintiff moves to proceed IFP, the court first "grants or denies IFP status based on the plaintiff's financial resources alone and then independently determines whether to dismiss the complaint" pursuant to § 1915(e)(2). Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1226 n.5 (9th Cir. 1984).

"To proceed in forma pauperis is a privilege not a right." Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1965). A party need not be completely destitute to proceed in forma pauperis. Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948). But "the same even-handed care must be employed to assure that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense, either frivolous claims or the remonstrance of a suitor who is financially able, in whole or in material part, to pull his own oar." Temple v. Ellerthorpe, 586 F.Supp. 848, 850 (D.R.I. 1984).

ANALYSIS

The information set forth in Plaintiff's IFP application does not demonstrate his inability to pay. Plaintiff submitted an application indicating that he is retired, has a checking account with a balance of $175.00 dollars and that he owns a 1991 Volvo. Plaintiff also receives a monthly pension of $2, 647 and his expenses for his housing and rent total $887.00 per month. (Doc. 2 at 2). Plaintiff has no dependents and no other debts or obligations. Although Plaintiff does not work, he receives a $2, 647.00 monthly pension. This calculates to an annual income of over $31, 764.00.

While Plaintiff need not demonstrate that he is completely destitute, he must show that, because of his poverty, he cannot pay the filing fee and still provide his dependents with the necessities of life. See Adkins, 335 U.S. at 339-40. A "showing of something more than mere hardship must be made.'" Nastrom v. New Century Mortg. Corp., Civ. No. 11-1998, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 140565, 2011 WL 7031499, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 7, 2011), report and recommendation adopted by, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3979, 2012 WL 116563 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 12, 2012). Plaintiff's monthly income does not support Plaintiff's contention that he is unable to pay the costs of this litigation without foregoing the necessities of life. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1); United States v. McQuade, 647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir. 1981) (per curiam). Therefore, this Court finds Plaintiff is not entitled to proceed without prepayment of the $400.00 filing fee. Accordingly, Plaintiff's application should be DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

Additionally, Plaintiff is further advised that upon amendment of his IFP application or prepayment of the filing fee, the Court is required to screen complaints of pro se litigants pursuant to Title 28 of the United States Code section 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the litigant has raised claims that are legally "frivolous or malicious, " that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant(s) who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1)&(2).

In his Complaint, Plaintiff appears to challenge a denial of his application for disability/social security benefits. This Court only has jurisdiction to review a denial of disability/social security benefits under certain circumstances. Specifically, Plaintiff is advised that an individual must exhaust administrative remedies in order to challenge the denial of these benefits. This means that once a denial of benefits is received, a claimant must file for reconsideration of that decision with the Social Security Administration. 20 C.F.R. § 904.909. If an adverse decision is rendered, an individual may request that an administrative law judge ("ALJ") hold a hearing. 20 C.F.R. § 404.929. If the ALJ issues an adverse decision, an appeal may be filed with the Appeals Council. Any appeal to the Appeals Council must be filed within sixty days of the ALJ's decision. 20 C.F. R. § 404.968. Once the Appeals Council issues its decision, a Claimant can file a complaint in the United States District Court, but this complaint must be filed within sixty days of the Appeals Council's order. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). In other words, in order to seek ...

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